Curler for hairstyles and permanent waves

ABSTRACT

A curler for hairstyles and permanent waves includes an elongated body, with cross sections similar to an elliptical profile and changing continuously from a minimum to a maximum extension, in relation to a selected rate. The body has opposite heads and intermediate and central portions situated between said heads. An elastic strip is stretched longitudinally to the curler elongated body and touch the heads while leaving an open space in the remaining part of the curler elongated body for locks of hair to pass therethrough.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to curlers for hairstyles and permanentwaves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Curlers of different sizes are known, adapted to be used by theoperators of the field to perform particular “curled” hairstyles, or forpermanent waves, with more or less waving according to the customer'sdesires.

A first type of curler includes a cylinder, with a stick introducedtherein.

The ends of the stick protrude from the cylinder and have enlargedsections of different size.

The curler enlarged sections are adapted to lock a special small elasticstrip extending longitudinally with respect to the cylinder and aimed atfixing the curler during use. The diameter of the intermediate portionof the cylinder reduces progressively, so as to facilitate the operatorwhen rolling up a hair lock onto the curler.

A variant of this type of curler includes a cylindrical-shaped member atthe ends of which corresponding covers are fastened. The central partsof the covers feature each a corresponding pin and a head, to which asuitable small elastic strip is fastened, which acts as described above.

A second type of curler is flat and has slightly curved walls, connectedby two sides. The flat curler has a regular thickness for the entireextension, and a slight narrowing in the central part of the sides.

The heads of the above curler feature connecting members, integraltherewith and aimed at longitudinally locking a stretched small elasticstrip, which acts as described above.

A third type of curler includes two discs with a kind of barrel placedtherebetween.

The discs feature in their central part connecting members, aimed atlongitudinally locking a stretched small elastic strip, so as to blockthe curler during its use.

A fourth type of curler is formed by two parts: the first one includes acylindrical element with pointed ends; the second part features a framemade of two bars, whose length is equal to the length of the cylindricalportion of the first part. The first and the second parts are joined byfour circular strips.

Using this curler, the hair lock is rolled around the cylindricalelement and locked by the frame applied to the cylindrical element withpressure.

Said curlers allow to obtain “curled” or waved hairstyles, depending onthe type and size of curler used.

Even if performed with care and with particular techniques, the finalhairstyle looks unnatural, that is to say, the difference between anatural curled/waved hairstyle and the one obtained artificially isvisible.

Moreover, in the specific case of a permanent, where it is necessary touse acids for fixing the hairstyle, it happens that the shape of thecurlers mentioned above and the pressure exerted by the elastic striplocking the hair lock damage the hair lock under the elastic strip (hairincision or cut).

If a waved permanent with a more natural effect is desired, a series ofcurlers of a different size must be used, with a consequent loss of timefor the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to propose a curler with a simple designand low manufacturing costs, which allows to obtain as natural ahairstyle as possible.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a curler, whoseshape allows to prevent damages to the hair, and avoids undesired foldsin the hairstyle resulting from the pressure exerted by said elasticstrip on the hair lock.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a curler whichfacilitates the operator in obtaining the desired results, acceleratingthe operation by reducing the quantity of curlers to be applied.

Yet a further object of the invention is to propose a hair curler whichallows to obtain a varied waiving in the whole hair's length and aparticularly accentuated waiving at the hair's ends.

The above mentioned objects are obtained by the present invention bymeans of a curler for hairstyles and permanent waves including anelongated body, symmetrical with respect to central vertical andhorizontal planes, said body having, along its longitudinal extension, across section continuously changing from a minimum to a maximumextension and vice-versa at a selected rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristic features of the present invention will be pointed outin the following description with reference to the enclosed drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the proposed curler;

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the proposed curler;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along III—III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along IV—IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an hair curler made according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a lateral view of the hair curler of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 to 10 show cross-sectional views taken along lines VII—VII,VIII—VIII, IX—IX and X—X of FIG. 5, respectively;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of an hair curler made according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exploded top view of the hair curler of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a view in accordance to the arrow K of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a view in accordance to the arrow H of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the curler of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the enclosed drawings, the reference numeral 2indicates a curler for hairstyles and permanent waves, which has anelongated shape, symmetrical with respect to the central vertical andhorizontal planes.

The cross sections of the curler 2, along the longitudinal extensionthereof, have a profile similar to an elliptical one with a continuouslyvariable cross section area.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1, 2, the curler has two heads 3, 4,connected to a central portion 8 by two narrow portions 5, 6; the crosssection of the central portion is smaller than the maximum cross sectionof the heads.

At its ends, the curler 2 features, made integral and concentrictherewith, connecting members 88, 89, protruding outwards.

A small elastic strip 7 (of known type), stretched longitudinally withrespect to the curler, is removably fastened to the connecting members.

The small elastic strip 7 is in contact only with the heads 3, 4, in theregion of the maximum section thereof, while it does not touch theremaining part of the curler due to the particular shape of the curler,which leaves an open space L, through which the hair rolled on thecurler pass.

Thus, the pressure exerted on the hair by the small strip 7 isconsiderably reduced.

Reference numeral 20 indicates the curler of the present invention, madein accordance to a second embodiment.

In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the curler ha two heads 30, 40and two intermediate enlarged portions 80, 90 connected to the heads byintermediate narrow portions 50, 60.

The maximum cross section of the intermediate enlarged portions 80, 90is smaller than the cross section of the heads. The cross section ofboth the intermediate enlarged portions (FIG. 8) and the heads (FIG. 7)has quasi elliptical shape. The cross-sectional area varies in steplessway.

The two of the intermediate enlarged portions 80, 90 are connected toeach other by a central narrow portion 10, which has a circularcross-section. The circular cross-section of the central narrow portionis smaller that the cross-section of the heads and its diameter issubstantially equal to the largest dimension of the intermediate narrowportions 50, 60.

At the heads, the curler 20 has, made integral and concentric therewith,connecting members 88, 89, protruding outwards, to which the smallelastic strip 7 is removably fastened, stretched longitudinally withrespect to the curler

The elastic strip 7 touches only the heads 30, 40, in the points wherethey have the largest cross-section, and, due to the particular shape ofthe curler, a space L1 is left between the strip and the reminder of thecurler for the hair to pass therethrough.

Reference numeral 200 indicates a third embodiment of the present haircurler.

Considering its longitudinal extension, this third kind of curler hastwo cross-cuttings J, Y (FIG. 11) which define two end portions E1, E2and one central portion C of the curler.

The two of the curler end portions E1, E2 have a cross-section similarto the elliptical one already mentioned, varying in the longitudinaldirection in stepless way.

The curler central portion C has a substantially circular cross-sectionwith a stepless varying area, which is larger at the sides and smallerat the middle part.

The two of the curler end portions E1, E2 are fastened to the curlercentral portion C.

In the example shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the curler end portions E1, E2have respective heads 300, 400 which are connected to related enlargedportions 800, 900 by means of respective intermediate narrow portions500, 600.

At the cross-cutting J, Y, the enlarged portions 800, 900 haverespective facings F (FIG. 14), which have first fastening means formede.g. by pins 908 and holes 909.

The curler central portion C has two facings Fc at its sides, whichfacings Fc have circular shape. The facings Fc have second fasteningmeans, which match with the first fastening means of the enlargedportions.

At the heads, the curler 200 has, made integral and concentrictherewith, connecting members 88, 89, protruding outwards, to which thesmall elastic strip 7 is removably fastened, stretched longitudinallywith respect to the curler

The elastic strip 7 touches only the heads 300, 400, in the points wherethey have the largest cross-section, and, due to the particular shape ofthe curler, a space L2 is left between the strip and the reminder of thecurler for the hair to pass therethrough.

In non-use condition, the small elastic strip 7 of the curler 2, 20, 200is coupled to the connecting members 88, 89; before using the curler, anoperator must release the small elastic strip 7 from one of theconnecting members, for example from member 89.

Then, the operator rolls a hair lock onto the curler, and locks thelatter together with the hair lock, by hooking the small elastic strip 7to the same connecting member 89.

It is to be pointed out that the curler 2 of the first embodiment andthe curler 20 of the second embodiment are proposed in different sizes,needed to perform the required hairstyles on different hair lengths.

Also, it should be noted that the end portions E1, E2 as well as thecentral portion C of the curler 200 can be produced with differentsizes, which can be mixed, changed and coupled in accordance with thenecessity of the user.

The first embodiment of the curler for hairstyles and permanents hereindescribed is particularly advantageous because of its elongated shape,symmetrical with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes, withcross sections having a profile similar to an elliptical area with avariable cross section, which allows to obtain hairstyles or permanentswith a more natural look.

The natural effect is obtained due to the fact that the hair lock thatthe operator rolls onto the curler has areas with a different waving;more precisely, the waves are more marked for the hair rolled at thenarrow portions 5, 6, and less marked for the hair rolled on the centralportion 8.

The second and third embodiments of the curler for hairstyles andpermanents herein described are capable of making waiving which resemblevery natural along the whole hair's length. More precisely, the waivingis more accentuated in the hair wound around the narrow portions 50,60;500, 600 and less accentuated in the hair wound around the enlargedportions 800, 900.

Moreover, the fact that the central portions have a circularcross-section and that a hair lock is wound thereon, makes it possibleto obtain a more accentuated waiving at the ends, so as to increase thenatural resembling effect.

The proposed curler allows to obtain waves with a natural effect, sinceall the curlers used by the operator have identical size, thus allowingthe operator to save time when applying the same.

Moreover, the number of curlers to apply is reduced, thus obtaining abetter final result; in fact, as different waves are obtained on eachcurler, it is no longer necessary to apply a series of curlers ofdifferent size to obtain a similar effect.

The shape of the curler is advantageous also because the pressure of theelastic strip 7 on the rolled hair lock is very slight, which allows toavoid undesired folds near the elastic strip and, in case hairstylefixing acids are used, the hair lock under the elastic strip is notdamaged.

It is understood that what above, has been described as a pure,unlimited example, therefore, possible variants of the invention remainwithin the protective scope of the present technical solution, asdescribed above and claimed hereinafter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A curler for hairstyles and permanent wavescomprising an elongate body having an elliptical cross sectional shapein at least a portion thereof, the elongate body symmetrical withrespect to central vertical and horizontal planes, said elongate bodyhaving two heads at the ends thereof, each head having a maximum crosssection and at least one intermediate circumferential wave formingportion having a lesser circumferential cross section than the heads,provided between the heads, separated from the heads by at least twowave forming narrow portions of lesser cross section than theintermediate portion, such that hair rolled on the curler has a moremarked wave on the wave forming narrow portions than on the intermediatewave forming portion.
 2. The curler of claim 1 further comprisingelastic means engageable with said heads and stretched longitudinallywith respect to said elongate body, said elastic means touching saidheads only in the region of a maximum section thereof, an open spacebeing provided between the elastic means and a remaining part of saidelongate body for rolled hair to pass therebetween.
 3. The curler ofclaim 1 wherein said elongate body has a circular cross-section in theintermediate portion and an elliptical cross section in the remainder ofthe elongate body.
 4. The curler of claim 1 wherein said elongate bodyhas two intermediate portions having a lesser cross section than theheads; the two narrow portions connecting said heads to saidintermediate enlarged portions, and further comprising a central narrowportion for connecting said intermediate enlarged portions to oneanother, the central narrow portion having a cross-section smaller thana largest cross wise section of said heads, and having a diameter equalto the largest cross wise section of said narrow portions.
 5. The curlerof claims 4 further comprising elastic means engageable with said headsand stretched longitudinally with respect to said elongate body, saidelastic means touching said heads only in a region of a maximum sectionthereof, an open space being provided between the elastic means and aremaining part of said elongate body for rolled hair to passtherebetween.
 6. The curler of claim 1 wherein said elongate bodycomprises two separated end portions and a central portion connected tosaid end portions, each end portion having: one head having an enlargedportion; and, an intermediate narrow portion for connecting said head tosaid enlarged portion; each enlarged portion having a facing and firstfastening means and said central portion having two opposite facings andsecond fastening means capable of coupling with said first fasteningmeans.
 7. The curler of claim 6 further comprising elastic meansengageable with said heads and stretched longitudinally with respect tosaid elongate body, said elastic means touching said heads only in theregion of a maximum section thereof, an open space being providedbetween the elastic means and a remaining part of said elongate body forrolled hair to pass therebetween.
 8. The curler of claim 1, wherein saidbody has a pair of opposite ends, connecting members protruding outwardsfrom said opposite ends, elastic means removably fastened to saidconnecting members.